Future Big Game Hunting Seasons

Many sportsmen like to know big game season dates well in advance so they can schedule vacation and other plans accordingly. You can calculate future season dates by using the following formulas taken from laws and regulations in effect as of the last update of this page. See our Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons page for maps and tables of current regular, bowhunting, and muzzleloading seasons for white-tailed deer and black bear.

Future Big Game Season Dates

Area

Season

Dates

Northern Zone

Early Bear (some WMUs)

The first Saturday after the second Monday in September through the day immediately preceding the early muzzleloading season.

Early Bowhunting - Bear

The first Saturday after the second Monday in September through the day immediately preceding the regular season.

Early Bowhunting - Deer

September 27 through the Friday immediately preceding the regular season.

Early Muzzleloading - Deer & Bear

7 consecutive days beginning on the 1st Saturday after Columbus Day.

Regular - Deer & Bear

44 consecutive days beginning on the 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day.

Late Bow and Muzzleloading - Deer

7 consecutive days immediately following the regular season. (Only open in specific WMUs)

Southern Zone

Early Bear (some WMUs)

16 consecutive days beginning the first Saturday after Labor Day.

Early Bowhunting - Deer & Bear

October 1 through the Friday immediately preceding regular season.

Regular - Deer & Bear

23 days beginning the third Saturday of November.

Late Bow and Muzzleloading - Deer & Bear

9 consecutive days immediately following the regular season.

Westchester County

Regular - Deer & Bear (bowhunting only)

October 1 through December 31.

Suffolk County

Regular - Deer (bowhunting only)

October 1 through January 31.

Special Firearms Season - Deer

The first Sunday in January through January 31.

See Rifle, Shotgun and Bow Areas for a description of the hunting implements which may be used in the early bear season and regular deer and bear seasons.